Umbrel

PierrePierre
Mar 27, 2025
160
Mar 27, 2025

Introduction

What is a Bitcoin node?

A Bitcoin node is a computer that participates in the Bitcoin network by running Bitcoin Core software or an alternative client. Its role is essential to the operation and security of the network:
  • Blockchain storage: Maintains a complete, up-to-date copy of the Blockchain Bitcoin
  • Transaction verification: validates each transaction and block according to protocol rules
  • Information dissemination: Shares new transactions and blocks with other nodes
  • Consensus-building: Contributes to the application of network rules
Running your own Bitcoin node is a crucial step towards financial sovereignty, offering several key benefits:
  • Confidentiality: Share your transactions without revealing your information to third parties
  • Resistance to censorship: No one can stop you from using Bitcoin
  • Independent verification: No need to trust other people's nodes to verify your transactions
  • Consensus building: Contribute to the application of Bitcoin network rules
  • Network support: Become an active participant in network distribution and decentralization

Umbrel: A simple solution for running a Bitcoin node

Umbrel is an open source operating system that simplifies the installation and management of a Bitcoin node. It also transforms your computer into a personal and private home server, making it easy to host :
  • A complete Bitcoin node
  • Bitcoin essential applications (Electrs, Mempool.space)
  • Other personal services (cloud storage, streaming, VPN, etc.)
With its elegant and intuitive Interface user interface, Umbrel makes self-hosted services accessible to all, while retaining total control over your data.

Umbrel installation options

Umbrel offers two main ways to use their solution: a turnkey option (Umbrel Home) and a free open source version (UmbrelOS).

Umbrel Home: The turnkey solution

Umbrel Home is a pre-configured home server, specially designed for an optimal experience. This all-in-one hardware solution includes:
Hardware features
  • High-performance processor optimized for self-hosting
  • Pre-installed high-speed SSD storage
  • Quiet cooling system
  • Compact, elegant design
  • Integrated USB and Ethernet ports
Exclusive benefits
  • Plug-and-play installation: plug in and go
  • Premium support with dedicated assistance
  • Guaranteed automatic updates
  • Integrated migration wizard
  • Full hardware warranty
  • Full support for all functionalities
Price: €399 (price may vary according to season)

UmbrelOS: The open source version

UmbrelOS is the free, open source version of the Umbrel operating system. This flexible solution lets you use your own hardware while benefiting from Umbrel's essential features.
Benefits
  • Totally free of charge
  • Open, verifiable source code
  • Freedom of choice
  • Advanced customization options
Supported platforms
  • Raspberry Pi 5: A popular and affordable solution
  • X86 systems: For standard PCs or servers
  • Virtual machine: For testing or use on existing infrastructure
Limitations
  • Community support only
  • Some advanced features reserved for Umbrel Home
  • More technical initial configuration
  • Performance depends on hardware selected
This version is ideal for :
  • Technical users
  • Those who already own compatible equipment
  • People who want to learn and experiment
  • Developers wishing to contribute to the project
Official installation links :
In this tutorial, we'll concentrate on installing UmbrelOS on a Raspberry Pi 5, but the basic principles remain similar for other platforms.

Installing Umbrel OS on Raspberry Pi 5

Required components

For this installation you will need :
  • Raspberry Pi 5 (4 GB or 8 GB RAM)
  • An official Raspberry Pi power supply (crucial for stability!)
  • MicroSD card (32 GB minimum)
  • A microSD card reader
  • An external SSD for data storage
  • Ethernet cable
  • A USB cable to connect the SSD

Installation steps

Download UmbrelOS
  • Visit the official website
  • Download the latest version of UmbrelOS for Raspberry Pi 5
Balena Etcher installation
Preparing the microSD card
  • Insert your microSD card into your computer's card reader
Image flashing
  • Launch Balena Etcher
  • Select the downloaded UmbrelOS image
  • Choose your microSD card as destination
  • Click on "Flash!" and wait for the process to finish
  • Safely eject the card
microSD card installation
  • Insert the microSD card into your Raspberry Pi 5
Peripheral connection
  • Connect the external SSD to an available USB port
  • Connect the Ethernet cable between the Pi and your router
Power on
  • Connect the official Raspberry Pi power supply
  • Wait a few minutes for the system to start up
First access
  • On a device connected to the same network, open your browser
  • Access Umbrel's Interface web site at: http://umbrel.local
If umbrel.local doesn't work, you'll need to find the IP address of your Raspberry Pi on your local network. You can :
  • Consult your router's Interface
  • Using a network scanner like nmap
  • Use the arp -a command in your computer's terminal

First step on Umbrel

Once your Umbrel is started and accessible via your browser, follow these steps to get started:

Initial configuration

Create your account
  • Choose a user name
  • Set a secure password
  • You will need these credentials to access your Umbrel
Account confirmation
  • Click on "Next" to access your dashboard
Discovery of the Interface
  • Access the Umbrel App Store
  • Discover the many applications available
  • Let's start by installing the essential applications for Bitcoin

Installing Bitcoin applications

Bitcoin Node
  • First application to install
  • Download and check the entire Blockchain Bitcoin
Electrs
  • Electrum server for connecting Bitcoin wallets
  • Synchronizes with your Bitcoin node
Mempool
  • Interface display for Blockchain
  • Tracks transactions and blocks in real time

Tracking a transaction with Mempool.space

Mempool.space is an open-source Blockchain explorer that provides real-time visualization of the Bitcoin network. It lets you track your transactions and understand how transactions propagate on the network.

Understanding Mempool and confirmations

The "Mempool" (memory pool) is like a virtual waiting room where all unconfirmed Bitcoin transactions are stored before being included in a block. Here's how a transaction is processed:
  1. Broadcast: When you send a transaction, it is first broadcast on the Bitcoin network
  2. Waiting in Mempool: Waiting to be selected by a miner on the basis of costs
  3. First confirmation: A minor includes it in a block (1st confirmation)
  4. Additional confirmations: Each new block mined after the one containing your transaction adds a confirmation
The recommended number of confirmations depends on the amount :
  • For small amounts: 1-2 confirmations may suffice
  • For large amounts: 6 confirmations are generally considered very secure

Explore Interface from Mempool.space

  1. The home page gives you an overview of the Bitcoin network:
    • Recently mined blocks
    • Cost estimates for different priorities
    • The current state of Mempool
  1. Search for a transaction: To track a specific transaction, paste its identifier (txid) into the search bar at the top of the page.

Analyze transaction details

Once your transaction has been found, Mempool.space presents you with a complete analysis:
  1. Essential information :
    • Status (confirmed or not)
    • Expenses paid (in Sats/vB)
    • Estimated confirmation time
  1. Transaction structure :
    • Visual representation of inputs and outputs
    • Detailed list of addresses involved
    • Amounts transferred
  2. Technical data :
    • Transaction weight
    • Virtual size
    • Format and version used
    • Other specific metadata

Advantages of using Mempool.space on Umbrel

  1. Confidentiality: Your requests go through your own node
  2. Independence: No need to rely on a third-party service
  3. Reliability: Access to data even when public browsers are down
With this application, you can efficiently monitor your transactions, understand how fees affect confirmation speed, and gain a better understanding of how the Bitcoin network works.

Connecting a Wallet Bitcoin to your node

Electrs configuration

Local connection
  • For use on your local network
  • Quicker and easier to set up
Remote connection via Tor
  • To access your node from anywhere
  • More secure and private

Connection with Sparrow Wallet

Access to parameters
  • Open Sparrow Wallet
  • Go to Preferences > Server
  • Click on "Modify existing connection"
Choice of connection type
Sparrow offers three connection modes:
Public Server
  • Connection to public servers (e.g. blockstream.info, Mempool.space)
  • Simple but less private
Bitcoin Core
  • Direct connection to a Bitcoin node
  • Private but slower
Private Electrum
  • Connect to your Electrs server
  • Combines privacy and performance
Electrs configuration
Choose your connection type using the information displayed in the Electrs application we saw earlier:
In both cases, leave the "Use SSL" and "Use proxy" options unchecked.
Local connection
Host: umbrel.local
Port number: 50001
Remote connection (Tor)
Host : [your-address-onion]
Port number: 50001
The Tor connection is necessary if you want to access your node outside your local network.
For more information on Sparrow Wallet software, we have a comprehensive tutorial :
sparrow
Sparrow WalletInstalling, configuring and using Sparrow Wallet

Conclusion

Your Umbrel is now ready to use. You participate actively in the Bitcoin network while retaining full control of your data. Feel free to explore the many other applications available in the Umbrel App Store to extend the capabilities of your home server.

Useful resources

Official documentation

Bitcoin applications

Community

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Author

This tutorial has been written by Pierre

You can say thanks by tipping the professor.

PierrePierre
41Tutorials

Passionate about Bitcoin and convinced that education is the key, I wish to share with you the little knowledge I have and thus contribute to the adoption of Bitcoin. Otherwise, I'm a big fan of Pink Floyd, I'm learning to code, and I make memes. Looking forward to meeting you at the next meet-up! I am the creator of the training course BTC 205 - Non-KYC Purchase Solution.

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